The keto diet has been around for over a century, though its popularity has evolved over time.

The ketogenic diet originated in the 1920s as a treatment for epilepsy, mimicking fasting effects. It gained popularity in the 1960s with the Atkins Diet and rose again in the 1990s due to celebrity endorsements. By the 2010s, keto became widely recognized for weight loss and health benefits, evolving into a mainstream lifestyle.

The history of Keto

Origins of the Keto Diet (1920s)

• The ketogenic diet was originally developed in the 1920s as a medical treatment for epilepsy.

• Researchers found that fasting helped reduce seizures in patients, and they discovered that a low-carb, high-fat diet could mimic the effects of fasting by producing ketones as an alternative fuel source.

• The diet was widely used in hospitals to treat epilepsy before modern anti-seizure medications were developed.

Expansion Beyond Epilepsy (1960s–1990s)

• In the 1960s, Dr. Robert Atkins introduced the Atkins Diet, a low-carb approach that shared similarities with keto.

• In the 1990s, keto regained attention when Hollywood producer Jim Abrahams used it to successfully treat his son’s epilepsy, leading to the creation of The Charlie Foundation to promote ketogenic therapies.

The Modern Keto Boom (2010s–Present)

• By the 2010s, keto gained widespread popularity beyond medical use.

• It became known for weight loss, mental clarity, and metabolic benefits, backed by studies showing its impact on diabetes, obesity, and inflammation.

• Athletes, bodybuilders, and biohackers began experimenting with keto for performance and longevity.

• Today, keto remains one of the most researched and followed low-carb diets worldwide.

The Bottom Line

The ketogenic diet has existed for over 100 years, evolving from a medical therapy to a mainstream lifestyle for fat loss, brain health, and metabolic improvement.

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